Data packet flow control scheme for switching networks

A method of controlling flow rates of data packets through a common node, the data packets flowing through a plurality of virtual circuits extending from sender units to receiver units connected thereto by way of the common node, activities of the node including granting node credits to each of the sender units, which node credits are satisfied by receiving packets from the sender units, sending packets to each of the receiver units to satisfy receiver credits granted by such receiver unit and processing packets received from sender units in anticipation of sending same to receiver units connected thereto, comprising the steps of:

• granting a node credit to each individual one of the sender units when a number relating to a difference between the number of unsatisfied receiver credits granted by the receiver unit connected thereto and the number of packets from the one sender unit being processed in the node exceeds the number of unsatisfied node credits granted to the one sender unit, and
• adding an incremental number to the difference number when the quantity of node activity is below a predetermined threshold whereby a node credit is granted without the node holding a corresponding receiver credit for the sender unit packet that will satisfy the granted receiver credit.